Photographic apparatus with drying device



Nov. 1, 1966 CHEN ETAL 3,282,184

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 1 [NV BY PM A. aw MMM (EM ATTORNEYS Nov. 1, 1966 R. J. CHENETAL 3,282,184

PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICE Filed May 19, 1964 5Sheets-Sheet 2 HHHII! INVENTQRS MM M 6, k M ATTORNEYS Nov. 1, 1966 R. J.CHEN ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3Filed May 19, 1964 INVENT RS ATTORNEYS FIG. 3

R. J. CHEN ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICE Nov. 1, 1966 5Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 19, 1964 M EATTORNEYS E F|G.4

1966 R. J. CHEN ETAL PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICE 5Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed May 19, 1964 FIG-6 I NVEF 70% 2 M ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent 3,282,184 PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS WITH DRYING DEVICERichard J. Chen, Brockton, and Paul B. Mason, Magnolia, Mass., assignorsto Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, Mass, a corporation of DelawareFiled May 19, 1964, Ser. No. 368,591

3 Claims. (Cl. 9514) This invention relates to photographic apparatusfor exposing and processing photographic sheet materials to producevisible images by diifusion transfer, and more particularly, toapparatus for producing copies of documents.

The apparatus of the invention is designed to perform photographicprocesses and employ photographic products of the type disclosed in thecopending US. patent applications of Edwin H. Land, Serial No. 368,622,and Serial No. 368,621 of Edwin H. Land et a1. (Case Nos. 3035 and3048), both filed May 19, 1964. The product disclosed in each of theabove applications is a single sheet comprising a support and layersincluding a lightsensitive image-recording material such as a silverhalide emulsion, an outer layer containing a translucent mate-' rialpermeable to a liquid processing composition, and a layer forsupporting'an image, e.g., silver, formed by diffusion transfer of imageforming substances from the layer including the light-sensitiveimage-recording material. This sheet is subjected to a photographicexposure to form an image in the image-recording material and,thereafter, a processing liquid is distributed in contact with the layercontaining the translucent material for permeation into the layercontaining the light-sensitive image-recording material. The processingliquid reacts with the light-sensitive image-recording material to forman image and an imagewise distribution of image-formng substances whichare transferred by diffusion at least through the layer of translucentmaterial to form a visible image which may be viewed as a positivereflection print.

The apparatus of the invention is designed to produce finished copiesrapidly and -in close sequence, each finished copy comprising a drysheet bearing a visible image formed by a diffusion transfer reversalprocess initiated by a liquid distributed in contact with one side ofeach sheet by a liquid applicator. The liquid is distributed in contactwith each sheet, preferably to the margins of the sheet and, in mostinstances, is highly corrosive (alkaline) so that means for handling thewet sheet cannot be permitted to contact the side of the sheet to whichthe liquid has been applied. The sheets usually comprise an inexpensivepaper support which, when wet, is quite limp and may tear easily.

An object of the invention is to provide in photographic apparatus ofthe type described, novel and improved means for transporting a sheet,wet on one side, from a liquid applicator through the apparatus whilesimultaneously and rapidly drying the sheet without any substantialcurling of the sheet.

Another object of the invention is to provide sheet advancing and dryingmeans as described, capable of advancing each wet sheet upwardly withthe wet surface thereof facing downwardly during drying.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing theconstruction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which areexemplified in the following detailed disclose, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in'the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of photographic document copyingapparatus embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the apparatus, the sectionbeing taken approximately midway between the sides of the apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 2showing a portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG.2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a component of the apparatus; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of components including that ofFIG. 5 of the apparatus, the section being taken substantially midwaybetween the sides of the components shown.

The invention is incorporated in a substantially automatic documentcopying apparatus which generally includes means for photoexposingsuccessive areas of predetermined length of a sheet to form an image ofa document in each of said areas and thereafter treating each of saidexposed areas with a liquid to form a positive transfer image in saidarea comprising a copy of the original document visible by reflectedlight. The processing of the exposed sheet involves severance ofsuccessive sections of the sheet, each including an exposed area, fromthe remainder of the sheet, application of a processing liquid to eachsection of the sheet to form the positive transfer image therein, dryingeach section and delivering the dried and finished copies (sections)from the apparatus.

The apparatus shown in the drawings is designed to produce copies of twopredetermined lengths, specifically, eleven inches and fourteen inches,which are substantially one-to-one' copies of originals; and to producethe copies substantially automatically requiring only that the operatorlocate the original to be copied in position for exposure, select thenumber and size of copies desired and start the apparatus.

Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings wherein thedocument copier of the invention is shown. The apparatus comprises ahousing preferably shaped very rnuch like and about the same size as anordinary two-drawer file cabinet, and including side walls 10 and 12,end walls 14 and 16, an upper wall 18 and a lower wall 20. The housingis designed to provide a lighttight environment in which thelight-sensitive imagerecording material is exposed and processed and isformed in two sections including a main housing section 22 com prisingside walls 10 and 12, end wall 14 and upper and lower walls 18 and 20.The other section of the housing is in the form of a drawer or carriageincluding end wall 16 and is mounted for movement with respect to themain housing section to provide access to the interior of the housing topermit loading of expendable materials into the apparatus and/oradjustment and repair of the apparatus.

Exposure of the light-sensitive image-recording material is effected byan exposure system mounted within the main housing section thereon andincluding a light source for illuminating the subject matter to bephotographed, a photographic objective lens for producing an image ofthe subject matter on the layer containing the image-recording material,means providing a light path between the lens and the image-recordingmaterial, and photoelectric exposure control means including aphotosensitive element and a shutter for insuring an exposureappropriate for the subject matter being photographed. This type of 3exposure system is preferred because it permits the photography ofopaque and three-dimensional subjects and the reproduction of continuoustones. This exposure system includes a transparent window 26 in upperwall 18 of the main housing section near end wall 14 thereof and,underlying the window, a' transverse panel 28, side panel 29 and a lowerpanel 30 cooperating with side wall 10, end wall 14 andupper wall 18 todefine a chamber 32 which is lighttight with respect to the remainder ofthe interior of the housing for containing a light source forilluminating the subject matter, e.g., a document to be copied. Thelight source comprises, in the form shown, twelve lamps 34 mounted onlower panel 30 and arranged in two rows 'of siX each adjacent oppositeends of chamber 32. The lamps of each row are mounted within atrough-shaped reflector housing comprising a rear wall 36 locatedfurthest from the center of chamber 32 and a forward wall 38 locatedbetween the lamps and the center of chamber 32. The inner surfaces ofwalls 36 and 38 are preferably highly reflective and the housingsperform the functions of more uniformly distributing the light from thelamps while preventing light from the lamps from reaching the objectivelens directly. In order to provide uniform exposure, the lamps in eachrow are arranged in two groups of three spaced toward opposite end ofeach row and thereby provide for greater illumination at the margins ofwindow 26 than at the center thereof. This is made necessary becauselight from portions of the subject at the mangins of window 26 isattenuated to a greater extent upon reaching the imagerecording layerthan is light from portions of the subject nearer the center of window26.

The exposure system includes a lens and shutter assembly 40 mounted onthe underside of lower panel 30 in closing relation to an opening 42 inthe lower panel located substantially at the center window. In order toprevent light from lamps 34 from being specularly reflected from theinner surface of window 26 to the lens of assembly 40, polarizing sheets44 are mounted in front of the lamps on the reflector housings and apolarizer sheet 46 is mounted in front of the lens in covering relationto opening 42. Sheets 44 are so oriented with respect to sheet 46 thatpolarized light transmitted by sheets 44 and specularly reflected towardsheet 46 is absorbed by the latter, while light reflected from thesubject, being nonpolarized, is transmitted by sheet 46. The shutter ofassembly 40 makes an exposure the duration of which is controlled by asystem including a photocell 48 mounted within chamber 32 on lower panel30 adjacent opening 42 in'position to measure light from a subject suchas a document positioned for exposure against the upper surface ofwindow 26. A photoelectrically controlled shutter suitable for thispurpose is shown and described together with its control system indetail in the copending application of David S. Grey, Serial No.150,228, filed November 6, 1961. This particular shutter is designed toopen instantaneously to commence an exposure, measure the light from thesubject and, when a predetermined amount of light has passed through theshutter, close to terminate the exposure. In the apparatus of theinvention, lamps 34 are turned on simultaneously with the opening of theshutter and are turned off after the shutter closes to terminate theexposure. By virtue of this construction, the exposure of each document,or other subject matter to be photographed, is assured of being properregardless of the reflection characteristics of the particular document.

The apparatus includes means for retaining documents against the uppersurface of window 26 in position for exposure and, in the form shown,these means include a flexible cover 50 formed of a dense material suchas a metal-filled organic plastic having suflicient weight to hold inplace a document positioned between the cover and window 26. Cover 50 isdimensioned to extend across window 26 and into a well 52 betweenchamber 32 and cover from the well sufliciently to cover a thick objectsuch as a book or the like. Cover 50 is also provided with a handle 56to facilitate grapsing and manipulation of the cover and an angle plate58 for extending around the corner of upper wall 18 and side wall 10 forretaining cover 50 across window 26.

As previously noted, the apparatus comprises a main housing section 22and a drawer or carriage 24 which may be withdrawn from the housing topermit loading of expendable materials'into the apparatus. Carriage 24comprises a pair of lateral supporting members 60 and 62 mounted forsliding movement, respectively, on telescoping tracks 64 and 66 mountedon the inner sides of side walls 12 and 18 respectively. Lateralsupportmembers 60 and 62 form the base of carriage 24 and support thecomponents of the apparatus which are mounted on the carriage. Includedamong these components are means for holding a supply of the sheetmaterial employed in the apparatus, means for positioning succes siveareas of the sheet for exposure, means for treating the sheet with aliquid and means for drying successive sections of the sheet anddelivering the sheets from the apparatus. In this latter regard, upperwall 18 0f the main housing section includes a recessed section 68formed with an opening 7 0 through which sheets are delivered in anupward direction and deposited upon recessed section 68.

The combined photosensitive and image-receiving sheet employed in theapparatus of the invention is designated 72, and is coiled on a spool 74including stub shafts at its ends, mounted for rotation in supportbrackets 76 mounted on lateral support member 60 and 62 underlyingrecessed section 68 of upper wall 18. From spool 74, sheet 72 isconducted downwardly between a pair of feed rolls 78 and 80 between apair of guide members 82 and 84, Guide member 82 includes a generallyflat plate 86 at least coextensive with the area of sheet 72 to'beexposed and having a surface (facing sheet 72) disposed substantially atthe focal surface of the lens of assembly 40 and lying in a planeparallel with the axis of the lens and pcrpen dicular to the plane ofwindow 26. Guide member 84 functions to retain successive sections ofsheet 72 against plate 86 and comprises a generally rectangular frameincluding vertical edge sections 88 and a lower horizontal edge member90 for engaging marginal portions of successive sections of sheet 72[and guiding the sheet between guide members 82 and 84. In the preferredembodiment of the apparatus, successive sections of sheet 72 are exposedsubstantially to their lateral mar-gins and to the transverse margins,particularly :at the lower transverse margin, and accordingly, edgesections 88 and edge member 90 of guide member 84 are formed of alight-transmitting material, organic plastics such :as the acrylicsbeing particularly suited to this purpose.

The optical system of the apparatus includes a mirror 92 mounted withinmain housing section 22 and having a reflecting surface lying in a planedisposed substantially at 45 with respect to the optic axis of theobjective lens and the plane of the supporting surface of plate 86, sothat light transmitted by the lens of assembly 40 is reflected frommirror 92 at a 90 angle (with respect to the lens axis) toward a sectionof sheet 72 positioned for exposure between guide members 82 and 84. Themounting of mirror 92 is one which provides for adjustment of theposition of the mirror and the mirror itself is in the form of atrapezoid with the edge of the mirror closest the objective lens beingsubstantially shorter than the edge of the mirror furthest from thelens. The apparatus, as previously noted, is designed to produce copiesof diiferent sizes, for example, copies of the two standard lengths,specifically, eleven and fourteen inches. Accordingly, the distancebetween the upper and lower edges of the frame comprising guide member84 is equal to the maximum iength (14") of copies to be made, andprovision is made for masking the upper portion of the section of thesheet positioned for exposure when shorter copies are to be made. Thesemeans include a shutter plate 94 pivotally mounted on the upper portionof guide member 84 and dimensioned so as to extend downwardly andobscure a predetermined portion of sheet 72 near the upper portion ofthe frame. Shutter plate 94 is pivotable between the operative position,shown in FIG. 3, in which it extends downwardly so as to obscure aportion (e.g., 3") of sheet 72, to an inoperative position, shown inbroken lines in FIG. 3, in which shutter plate 94 is located out of thepath of light from the lens of assembly 40. A solenoid 96 coupled withshutter plate 94 by an appropriate linkage is provided for pivoting theshutter plate between its operative and inoperative positions.

To permit loading of a supply of sheet 72 into the apparatus andthreading the sheet between feed ro-lls 78 and 80 and guide members 82and 84, feed roll 80 is mounted on extensions 98 of guide member 84 andthe latter is mounted for pivotal movement about its lower end onlateral support members 60 and 62. A bar 100 is joined at its ends toextensions 98 and provides a handle for pivot ing guide member 84 aboutits lower end in order to load sheet 72 into the apparatus, and springs(not shown) are provided for biasing guide member 84 into the operativeposition shown in FIG. 3.

During the operation of the apparatus, a section of sheet 72 is feddownwardly by feed rolls 78 and 80 between guide members 82 and 84 atleast until the leading edge of the sheet has passed downwardly beyondedge member 90, whereupon movement of the sheet is arrested with asection of the sheet located in position for exposure. The apparatusincludes means for severing successive sections of sheet 72 from theremainder of the sheet so that copies produced by the apparatus aredelivered as individual rectangular prints approximately equal in length(11" or 14") to the originals, These means include a rotary knife 102disposed adjacent and below edge member 90 and adapted to operateagainst an anvil 104 disposed in juxtaposition with edge member 90.Knife 102 is mounted on lateral support member 60 and 62 for rotation ina counterclockwise direction (viewing FIG. 3) to sever the sheet closelyadjacent the lower edge of the section thereof which is exposed. Anvil104 is mounted on a support bracket 106 which also functions to supportthe lower portion of guide member 82, and the anvil is movable slightlywith respect to bracket 106 for purposes which will be described morefully hereinafter.

A section of sheet 72 positioned between guide members 82 and 84isexposed following severance at its leading end from the precedingsection of sheet 72 and following exposure, the exposed section isadvanced downward by rotation of feed rolls 78 and 80 between knife 102and anvil 104 into the bite of a second pair of feed rolls 108 and 110positioned below knife 102. Feed rol-ls 108 and 110 are rotated toadvance the leading edge of sheet 72 against the curved surface of adeflection block 112 mounted beneath the bite of rolls 108 and 110 inposition to change the direction of movementof sheet '72 and guide thesheet around the periphery of feed I011 108 between the latter and athird feed roll 114 located in juxtaposition with feed roll 108. Thesheet is advanced by feed rolls 108 and 114 upwardly and at an angleinto engagement with means for distributing a processing liquid incontact with the exposed side of sheet 72.

The means for distributing a processing liquid in contact with sheet 72are shown in detail in FIGS. 3; 5 and 6, and include a liquid applicatordevice designated 116, and a cooperating supporting device 118 locatedin juxaposition with one another adjacent opposite sides of the path ofmovement of sheet 72 from between feed rolls 108 and 114. The processingcomposition may comprise an aqueous alkaline liquid which is preferablyrendered quite viscous by the incorporation of a viscous film- I'CCESS.

forming material, for example, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, and theapplicator device functions to distribute this viscous liquid as a layerin contact with sheet 72. Applicator device 116 functions to extrude theliquid to as a film and simultaneoulsy doctor the film onto sheet 72 toform a thin layer thereon of predetermined thickness. The layer ofliquid applied to each section of sheet 72 is substantially rectangularin shape and is preferably coextensive with the section to which it isapplied, that is, so that the layer of liquid extends substantially tothe four edges of each section of the sheet. Accordingly, the applicatordevice is constructed to dispense an accurately predetermined amount ofliquid and apply the liquid as a layer having precise dimensions andsubstantially uniform predetermined thickness to successive rectangularsections of a sheet as each section is moved past and in engagement withthe applicator device. The liquid may be highly corrosive (alkaline) andbecause of the thickening agent, hardens upon drying so that theapplicator is specially designed to maintain the liquid in an airtightenvironment and prevent the liquid from contacting other components ofthe apparatus.

The applicator device comprises a body section designated 120, havingend walls 122, a longitudinal wall 124, a side wall 126 and a coverplate 128 secured to longitudinal wall 124 by screws 129 (adjacent theside of longitudinal wall 124) opposite side wall 126 to provide anelongated chamber or recess 130 approximately equal in length to thewidth of sheet 72. One of end walls 122 is formed with an opening 132communicating with recess 130 providing means for introducing liquid tothe Applicator device 116 also includes a closure section 134 mounted onbody section and cooperating with the body section and cover plate 128to provide an elongated passage approximately equal in length to thewidth of sheet 72 and communicating with recess in the body section.This passage, designated 136, is defined by a tapered edge section 138of cover plate 128 which abuts against an elastomeric sealing strip 140secured to an edge section 142 of closure section 134. The applicatordevice includes means for retaining body section 120 and closure section134 together, providing for pivotal movement of the body and closuresections with respect to one another to open and close passage 136 andpump a liquid supplied to recess 130 from the recess through passage 136so that the liquid is dispensed as a thin layer through the passage.These last-mentioned means comprise a cylindrical tube or sleeve 144mounted within the applicator device between the body and closuresections and extending lengthwise of the device with the ends of thesleeve engaged in openings (not shown) in end walls 122 of body section120. Sleeve 144 is secured within a cylindrical channel in closuresection 134 to the closure section by screws 146 so that the bodysection is pivotable with respect to the closure section about the axisof sleeve 144. Sleeve 144 is formed with an axial slot 148 approximatelyequal in length to recess 130 and passage 136 and communicating with therecess and the passage. Mounted within sleeve 144 is a cylindricalliquid feed roll 150 having an outer diameter which is just sufiicientlyless than the inner diameter of the sleeve to allow the liquid feed rollto rotate freely within the sleeve. Liquid feed roll 150 extendssubstantially from end to end of the sleeve and a gear 152 is secured toone end of liquid feed roll 150 for driving the feed roll. A portion ofcover plate 128 extends into slot 148 in sleeve 144 and includes acylindrical surface juxtaposed with the surface of roll 150 andcooperating therewith to define an annular channel 154 communicatingbetween recess 130 and passage 136. In the operation of the applicatordevice, liquid feed roll 150 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction(viewing FIG. 6) in contact with the viscous liquid filling recess 130,drawing the liquid into channel 154 and functioning as a pump forforcing the viscous liquid from channel 154 into and through passage 136between edge sections 138 and 142.

The portion of sleeve 144 defining the longitudinal edge of slot 148 inthe sleeve is aligned substantially with the surface of sealing strip140 which defines one side of passage 136 and functions to conduct theviscous proc essing liquid from channel 154 into passage 136 while Iremoving the liquid from liquid feed roll 150.

Closure section 134 of the applicator device is mounted in fixedposition on carriage 24, and body section 120 of the applicator deviceis pivoted with respect to closure section 134 about the axis of roll150 for opening and closing passage 136. Passage 136 is retained in theclosed position shown in FIG. 6 by springs 156 engaged between the bodysection and adjusting screws 158 threaded into closure section 134.Springs 156 bias body section 120 for rotation in a counterclockwisedirection into the closed position shown and the body section is pivotedin a clockwise direction against the bias of springs 156 in order toopen passage 136 so that the liquid may be extruded therefrom. Sealingstrip 148, being formed of an elastomeric material, cooperates withcover plate 128, which may be formed of metal, to provide a liquid, gasand vapor impervious seal when passage 136 is closed, and adjustingscrews 158 provide means for varying the sealing force exerted bysprings 156 by adjustably compressing the springs.

Supporting device 118 is provided for holding sheet 72 against coverplate 128 and edge section 142 of closure section 134 as the sheet ismoved past passage 136 and for pivoting body section 120 of theapplicator device in order to open passage 136. The supporting devicecomprises a platen 160 pivotally mounted at one end coaxially with feedroll 108 and extending adjacent the applicator device toward theopposite end thereof. Platen 160 includes a section 162 disposed injuxtaposition with cover plate 128 and closure section 134 adjacentopposite sides of passage 136 and supports 164 extending from section162 toward feed roll 108 and providing means on which section 162 ispivotally mounted for limited movement toward and away from applicatordevice 116. Section 162 is formed with an elongated opening in which apressure plate 166 is engaged for movement with respect to the platentoward and away from the applicator device. Pressure plate 166 is atleast equal in length to passage 136 and is located in juxtapositionwith edge sections 138 and 142 so as to support sheet 72 against theedge sections as the sheet is moved past passage 136. Pressure plate 166is biased toward the applicator device by a plurality of springs 168engaged between the pressure plate and adjusting screws 170 threadedinto a bracket 172 mounted on section 162. v

In the operation of the applicator and supporting device, as a sectionof sheet 72 is advanced between feed rolls 108 and 114 between section162 and cover plate 128, platen 160 is pivoted in a counterclockwisedirection toward the applicator device so as to pivot the body sectionof the applicator and press sheet 72 against the applicator.Electrically operated means in the form of a solenoid 174 mounted onbracket 106 are provided for pivoting platen 160, and a pair of setscrews 176 are threaded through supports 164 for engaging end walls 122of body section 120 for pivoting the body section to open passage 136 to.a predetermined width. Set screws 176 make it possible to vary thewidth of opening 136 as well as the gap between platen 160 and coverplate 128 through which sheet 72 is advanced. As the sheet is advancedpast opening 136, the liquid is extruded through the opening onto thesheet and edge section 142 functions as a doctor for insuring that thelayer of liquid applied to the sheet is of uniform thickness. Thesurface 178 of closure section 134 facing section 162 of platen 160 isset back from the surface of edge section 142 and relieved so as not tointerfere with or disturb the layer of liquid on provided pivotallymounted at its ends in a recess in section 162 of platen with theperiphery of the drive roll extending from the platen sufficiently toengage sheet '72 located between the platen and cover plate 128. Driveroll 180 includes a surface formed of an elastomeric material having arelatively high coefficient of friction for the purpose of moving sheet72 between the platen and cover plate 128 across aperture 136 betweenthe latter and pressure plate 166. During coating operations drive roll180 is rotated by a chain 182 engaged between sprockets 184 and 186mounted on, respectively, drive roll 180 and feed roll 108.

The processing liquid is supplied to applicator device 116 from adisposable reservoir in the form of a container 188 mounted within theapparatus on the carriage above supporting device 118 behind guidemember 82. Container 188 may be formed of any air and water impermeablematerial, the organic plastics such as polyethylene being especiallysuited for this purpose, and is connected with the applicator device bya U-shaped conduit 190 coupled with recess 130 at one of end walls 122by way of opening 132 provided therein, and with the lower portion ofcontainer 188 so that the liquid within the container flows through theconduit to the applicator under the force of gravity. Conduit 190 maycomprise an expendable component of the container to facilitatereplacement of the container of liquid when its liquid contents areexhausted.

The apparatus includes means for withdrawing each successive section ofsheet 72 from between the applicator and supporting devices andsimultaneously drying the liquid coated sheet rapidly and evenly so thatthe sheet,

comprising a copy of an original, may be delivered fromso that thesection of web 192 extending between shafts 194 and 196 and facing endwall 16 extends upwardly and at an angle With respect to the vertical asrepresented by end wall 16. Web 192 may comprise one or more strips of aflexible sheet material preferably having a high coefficient of frictionwith respect to sheet 72. Shaft 194 is positioned so that the outersurface of web 192, where the web extends around shaft 194, issubstantially tangent with the plane of sheet 72 as the sheet emergesfrom between the applicator and supporting devices. As previously noted,the applicator device is designed to apply -a coating of the liquid tosheet 72 substantially to the Blower 198, mounted on carriage 24underlying mirror' 92 and duct 200, extends from the blower adjacentlower wall 20 beneath applicator device 116 and then upward adjacent web192. A filter 206 is provided in an opening in lower wall 20 forremoving foreign material from air taken in by the blower. The portionof duct 200 adjacent web 192 is approximately equal .in width to thewidth of sheet 72 and the side of the duct facing the web is open.Bafiies 204 extend within duct 200 from a position underlying applicatordevice 116, include end sections curved toward web 192 and cooperatewitheach other and the duct to provide a plurality of separate conduitswhich, by virtue of the curved ends of the baffies, direct air, heatedby heater 202, against portions of web 192 succeeding from shaft 194 toshaft 196, thereby supporting sheet 72 against web 192 by air pressure.In an alternative embodiment, heating elements (infrared) may be locatedwithin the conduits near the open ends thereof in position to heat thesheets directly in addition to heating air directed against the sheets.

In the preferred embodiment of the apparatus shown,

the friction between sheet '72 and web 192 is sufficient to withdraw thetrailing end portion of each successive section of sheet 72 between edgesection 142 of the applicator device and pressure plate 166 of thesupporting device. This friction force is a function of the velocity ofthe air impinging upon the sheets and, accordingly, the duct isconstructed with a constriction similar to a venturi for acceleratingthe air passing through the duct. However, it is contemplated that, insome instances, it may be advisable to provide a pair of discs (notshown) in juxtaposition with web 192 at shaft 194 in order to presssheets 72 at their lateral margins (where, usually, there is no image)against web 192 and thereby insure withdrawal of each sheet from betweenthe applicator and supporting devices.

Lateral support members 60 and 62 define the sides of duct 200 and areformed with openings 208 adjacent the upper ends of the ducts. The endsof baflles 204 terminate short of web 192 so that air passing throughthe duct and directed against a sheet supported on the web is conductedalong the web toward the end of the duct and exhausted throughopenings'208. Exhaust ducts 210 are provided on side walls 10 and 12 ofthe main housing section and extend downwardly from adjacent openings208 to lower wall which is formed with openings 212 through which theair is exhausted from the housing of the apparatus.

From web 192, a dried copy comprising a section of sheet 72 is conductedupwardly and fed through opening 70 onto recessed section 68 of upperwall 18. For this purpose, a pair of endless Webs 214 and 216 areprovided, web 214 being supported between a shaft 218 located adjacentshaft 196 and an upper shaft 220 located adjacent opening 70, and web216 being supported between a lower shaft 222 juxtaposed with shaft 218and an upper shaft 224 located adjacent opening 70 in juxtaposition withshaft 220. The shafts are so positioned that sections of the webs are inface-to-face relation and the leading end of a section sheet 72supported on web 192 moves into the bite of webs 214 and 216 betweenshafts 218 and 220. Webs 214 and 216 each preferably comprises aplurality of narrow webs positioned in sideby-side relation and formedof flexible material having a high coefiicient of friction.

The drive mechanism of the apparatus comprises a motor 226 mounted oncarriage 24 between container 188 and spool 74. Motor 226 drives feedroll 78 and shaft 196 through a chain 228 engaged with a sprocket 230 onthe motor shaft, a sprocket 232 on roll 78 and a sprocket 234 on shaft196. The periphery of the portion of web 214 extending around shaft 218is pressed against the periphery of web 192 at shaft 196 so that torquetransmitted to shaft 196 is transferred to web 214 to move webs 214 and216 so as to advance a sheet 72 upwardly between the webs and throughopening 70 onto recess section 68. Feed roll 78 is driven through anelectrically operated clutch controlled by a pair of micro switches 236and 238 mounted between longitudinal sections of Web 192 and includingcontrol levers extending into the path of movement of sheet 72 supportedon web 192. The control levers of switches 236 and 238 are positioned atpredetermined distances, e.g., along the path of movement of sheet 72fourteen and eleven inches, respectively,

from the edge of anvil 104 at which sheet 72 is severed,

and function to deenergize the clutch through which drive roll 78 isdriven when a predetermined length, e.g., either eleven or fourteeninches, of sheet 72 has been advanced past anvil 104 and knife 102.Knife 102 is driven through an electrically operated single revolutionclutch controlled by either of switches 236 and 238 and, accordingly,functions to sever either a fourteen or eleven inch section of sheet 72from the remainder of the sheet as the sheet moves between the knife andthe anvil. The apparatus includes a control knob 240 extending fromupper wall 18 which may be adjusted manually for selecting the numberand length of copies to be produced by the apparatus. Control knob 240also operates solenoid 96 so that the length of sheet 72 which isexposed is substantially equal to the length of the sheet advancedbetween the knife and the anvil and cut off by the knife.

The drive mechanism also includes idler sprockets 242 for supporting achain 244 driven by a second sprocket, also designated 230, on the shaftof motor 226. Drive chain 244 is engaged with a drive sprocket 246mounted on the lower portion of the carriage and coupled through a geardrive with feed roll and the single revolution clutch which drives knife102. Roll 108 is rotated by roll 110 and, as previously noted, drivesdrive roll 180 through chain 182 and sprockets coupled with rolls 108and 180. The drive mechanism includes another drive sprocket 248 coupledwith a gear 250 meshed with gear 152 on liquid feed roll 150 for drivingthe liquid feed roll. In an alternative embodiment of the apparatus,gear 250 may be coupled with sprocket 248 through an electricallyoperated clutch so that the rotation of feed roll 150 may be controlledseparately.

In addition to the controls previously described, the apparatus includesa pair of series connected micro switches 252 and 254 mounted onsupport-s 164 of platen 160 and including control leversextending'across the path of movement of sheet 72 between platen 160 andcover plate 128 into recesses 256 in the cover plate. Although thecontrol levers of both micro switches do not actually show in FIG. 6because the section is taken between the two micro switches which engagethe sheet at its margins, the positions of both control levers are shownin FIG. 6-for purposes of illustration. The function of micro switches252 and 254 is to control the operation of the liquid applicator andsupporting devices, particularly the operation of solenoid 174 whichmoves platen 160 toward and away from the liquid applicator. Both microswitches are in series in a circuit with the solenoid and are normallyopen so that only when both control levers are engaged by a sheet arethe micro switches closed energizing solenoid 174 and causing platen 160to be moved toward applicator device 116. When this occurs, set screws176 engage end walls 122 of the applicator device pivoting body sectionof the applicator device and opening passage 136 to permit the liquid toflow therefrom. Solenoid 174 remains energized until one of the microswitches opens and this occurs when the control lever of switch 254,which first engages the leading edge of the sheet, drops off the sheetat the trailing edge thereof. The purpose of the particular arrangementof the control levers is to commence application of the liquid as closeas possible to the leading edge of a sheet and terminate application ofthe liquid as close as possible to the trailing edge of the sheet.Accordingly, the control lever of switch 252 is positioned as close aspossible to passage 136 and commences the application of the liquidwhile the control lever of switch 254 is located furthest from passage136 and terminates the application of the liquid. When solenoid 174 isdeenergized allowing platen 160 to move away from the applicator device,there is a slight overrun of the processing liquid and, accordingly, thedistance between the control lever of switch 254 and passage 136 isadjusted to insure that the layer of liquid applied to the sheet willterminate as close as possible to the trailing edge of the sheet. In theembodiment of the apparatus shown, liquid feed roll may rotate to pumpthe liquid into passage 136 throughout the period during which motor 226is running. However, the problems involved in sealing passage 136against the flow of liquid are reduced if liquid feed roll 150 isrotated only during the period when the passage is open, and this may beaccomplished by controlling the aforementioned electrically operatedclutch using micro switches 252 and 254 for this purpose. a p

To operate the apparatus, the operator turns knob 240 to select thelength and number of copies to be produced, and then ilifts cover 50 andplaces the original on window 25 with an edge of the original located inalignment with a visible reference on the exterior of the window. Theoperator then closes a switch designated 2S8 projecting above upper wall18 near knob 240 to start the apparatus, the switch functioning to startmotor 226, blower 198 and heater 202, energize the lamps and render theexposure control system operative to make an exposure. Solenoid 96 isenergized to pivot shutter plate 94 out of the path of light from thelens of assembly 49, if the shorter, e.g. 11", of the two possiblecopies are to be made. The shutter of assembly 40 opens and remains openfor a predetermined period dependent upon the light reaching photocell48 from the original being copied and then closes and, upon closing,completes circuits through relays to the clutch which drives roll 78 andthe single revolution clutch which drives knife 102. The power supply tothe shutter is then interrupted so that the exposure cannot be repeateduntil another section of sheet 72 is in position for exposure. When theclutch driving roll '78 is energized, the rollrotates advancing theexposed section of sheet 72 downwardly between the knife and anvilbetween rolls 110 and 108, against deflector block 112 and thenceupwardly between rolls 108 and 114. between applicator device 116 andsupporting device 118 into engagement with web 192. When one of switches236 and 238 is actuated, the clutch driving roll 78 is deenergized andthe single revolution clutch driving rotary knife 102 is energizedthereby simultaneously discontinuing the movement of sheet 72 andcutting off the exposed section of the sheet. Anvil 104 is coupled witha switch 260 so that when knife 102 cuts sheet 72 against the anvil,switch 260 is actuated to connect the power supply to the exposuresystem so that another exposure can be made.

The components of the control system have not been shown and describedin detail inasmuch as they include conventional devices such as relaysand switches, and their specific selection and arrangement areconsidered to be well within the skill of the art when the function ofthe control system as described is known. For example, switches 236, 238and 260 are closed when actuated to operate relays which control theflow of current to the clutches which drive roll 78 and rotary knife 102and to the exposure control system. Platen 160 is biased apart from theapplicator device so that switches 252 and 254 are normally open and arein series with the power supply to solenoid 174. The control circuitalso includes a counter for recycling the apparatus if more than onecopy is to be made and also controls the operation. of solenoid 96depending on the size of copies selected When the number of copiesdesired has been made, the operator opens switch 258 interrupting thepower to motor 226, blower 198, heater 262 and the exposure systemincluding lamps 34, shutter 40 and the exposure control systemassociated therewith. In an alternative embodiment of the exposurecontrol system, lamps 34 maybe operated in conjunction with the shutter,and, in this system, are energized when the shutter opens anddeenergized when the shutter closes.

To load a supply of sheet 72 into the apparatus, carriage 24 iswithdrawn substantially to the position shown in FIGURE 1, guide member84 is pivoted in a clockwise direction to separate roll 80 from roll 78,a spool of sheet 72 is mounted at its ends in support bracket 76 and theleading end of the sheet is fed between rolls 78 and 80, and guidemember 84 is pivoted back to engage the sheet between rolls 78 and 80.The controls described heretofore may include a loading control whichpermits the operator to operate motor 226 and energize the clutch driveroll 78 in order to feed the leading end of sheet 72 downwardly to aposition adjacent anvil 104. The carriage is then moved into the mainhousing section and the apparatus is run through a couple of cycles ofoperation to pass the leading end portion of sheet 72 through themachine and thereby bring an unexposed section of the sheet intoposition for exposure. It is contemplated that a length of sheet 72 willbe provided on spool 74 sufiicient to make a large number of copies, forexample, a thousand, and that simultaneously with the loading of spool74 into the apparatus, a container 188 holding sufiicient liquid toprocess the thousand copies will also be loaded into the apparatus.Obviously, loading of the apparatus is a very simple matter requiring nomixing of liquids and the simple loading of a single sheet. Theoperation of the apparatus is even more simple, requiring only that theoperator place an original in position for exposure, select the numberand size copies to be made and press a button to start the apparatus.The apparatus automatically delivers the desired number of copies of theproper size in a dry condition and all of these functions are performedby devices housed in apparatus which is relatively small and compact.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention herein involved, it isintended that all matter contained in the above description or shown inthe accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and notin a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Photographic apparatus for exposing and processing a succession oflight-sensitive sheets comprising, in combination:

liquid applicator means; means for moving an exposed light-sensitivesheet relative to and above sheet applicator means with one side of saidsheet facing downwardly for applying liquid to the lower side of saidsheet;

a carrier having a sheet supporting section located at one end adjacentand above said applicator means in position to engage the upper surfaceof each of said sheets as said each sheet is advanced from saidapplicator means;

means for moving said sheet supporting section of said carrier memberand said each sheet supported against said carrier member;

a blower for accelerating air;

duct means coupled with said blower for directing air from said bloweragainst substantially the entire lower side of said sheet to press theupper side of said sheet into frictional engagementwith said supportsection of said carrier member; and

heater means associated with said duct for heating air passing throughsaid duct.

2. In photographic apparatus including means for exposing a successionof light-sensitive sheets and liquid applicator means for distributing aprocessing liquid in contact with one side of each of said sheets, incombination, means for simultaneously advancing said sheet upwardlythrough said apparatus from said applicator means and drying said sheetscomprising:

a carrier member having a sheet supporting section located at one endadjacent and above said applicator means in position to engage the othersurface of each of said sheets as said each sheet is advanced from saidapplicator means;

, means for moving said sheet supporting section of said carrier memberand said each sheet supported against said carrier member upwardly;

a blower for accelerating air;

a duct coupled with said blower and having an open- 113 ing facing saidcarrier member and substantially coextensive with said sheet supportingsection thereof; baflles within said duct constructed and positioned fordirecting air, propelled through said duct by said blower, against saidone surface of said each sheet in a direction generally perpendicular tosaid one surface to press said other surface of said each sheet intofrictional engagement with said supporting section of said carriermember; and heater means within said duct for heating air passingthrough said duct. 3. In photographic apparatus including means forexposing a succession of light-sensitive sheets and liquid applicatormeans for distributing a processing Liquid 'in contact with one side ofeach of said sheets, in

combination, means for simultaneously advancing said sheets upwardlythrough said apparatus from said applicator means and drying said sheetscomprising:

:a carrier member having a sheet supporting section located at one endadjacent and above said applicator means in position to engage the othersurface of each of said sheets as said each sheet is advanced from saidapplicator means;

means for moving said sheet supporting section of said 25 carrier memberand said each sheet supported against said carrier member upwardly; ablower for accelerating air;

a duct coupled with said blower and having an opening facing saidcarrier member and substantially coextensive with said sheet supportingsection thereof;

baffles within said duct for directing air, propelled through said ductby said blower, against said one surface of each of said sheets to presssaid other surface of said each sheet into frictional engagement withsaid support section of said carrier member;

heater means within said duct for heating air passing through said duct;and

means including two side walls cooperating with said duct, saidsupporting section of said carrier memher and said each sheet locatedthereon to define a chamber through which said each sheet is advancedduring drying, said side walls being provided with exhaust openings nearthe end of said chamber opposite said applicator means.

JOHN M. HORAN, Primary Examiner.

1. PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS FOR EXPOSING AND PROCESSING A SUCCESSION OFLIGHT-SENSITIVE SHEETS COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: LIQUID APPLICATORMEANS; MEANS FOR MOVING AN EXPOSED LIGHT-SENSITIVE SHEET RELATIVE TO ANDABOVE SHEET APPLICATOR MEANS WITH ONE SIDE OF SAID SHEET FACINGDOWNWARDLY FOR APPLYING LIQUID TO THE LOWSER SIDE OF SAID SHEET; ACARRIER HAVING A SHEET SUPPORTING SECTION LOCATED AT ONE END ADJACENTAND ABOVE SAID APPLICATOR MEANS IN POSITION TO ENGAGE THE UPPER SURFACEOF EACH OF SAID SHEETS AS SAID EACH SHEET IS ADVANCED FROM SAIDAPPLICATOR MEANS; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID SHEET SUPPORTING SECTION OF SAIDCARRIER MEMBER AND SAID EACH SHEET SUPPORTED AGAINST SAID CARRIERMEMBER; A BLOWER FOR ACCELERATING AIR; DUCT MEANS COUPLED WITH SAIDBLOWER FOR DIRECTING AIR FROM SAID BLOWER AGAINST SUBSTANTIALLY THEENTIRE LOWER SIDE OF SAID SHEET TO PRESS THE UPPER SIDE OF SAID SHEETINTO FRICTIONAL ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SUPPORT SECTION OF SAID CARRIERMEMBER; AND HEATER MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID DUCT FOR HEATING AIRPASSING THROUGH SAID DUCT.